Willis Hurshel Sipes, 90, of Alvaton, Kentucky passed away at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Hopkins Nursing and Rehab in Woodburn, Kentucky. He was formally from Granite City, Illinois.
Willis was born April 2, 1935, in Essex, Missouri, a son of the late Fred and Lucinda (Sipes) Wyman.
He met the love of his life during church visitation in October 1956. He married Onita J. (Marley) Sipes on August 31, 1957, in Memphis, Tennessee and they lived happily together until she passed away on July 9, 2021.
He proudly served his country from 1957 until 1959 in the US Army and was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany. He retired in 1997 from the Cement Masons Local #527 in Bridgeton, Missouri after many years of dedicated service as a concrete finisher. He was a member of the Lakeview Fellowship Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He cherished his family, adored all his grandchildren & great-grandchildren, never missed an opportunity to make memories with those he loved.
He is survived by five children and their spouses, David and Christi Sipes of Alvaton, Kentucky, Danny and Dawn Sipes of Newburgh, Indiana, Denny and Ellen Sipes of Granite City, Illinois, Belinda and Donald Sharp of Granite City, Illinois and Greg and Katherine Sipes of Maxwell, Texas; grandchildren and their spouses, Clinton Sipes, Mindy Woodruff, Bryan Sipes (Molly), Crystal Sharp, Curtis Sharp (Elizabeth), Breanna Rehmer (Paul), Amanda Klonowski (Blake), Tony Hartline (Ashley), Whitney Hankins (Sonny), Tiyler Sipes, Marley Sipes, Willis Sipes, Russell Sipes and Austin Sipes; numerous great grandchildren; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his beloved wife of nearly 64 years and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City. Visitation will continue at Irwin Chapel on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Phil Warren officiating.
Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House in Bowling Green Kentucky and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
